Welcome to the End of Summer Giveaway: What I have learned from my pets.

DFW Pet Sitting Services would like to honor all pet owners by sharing our clients’ stories and their pets’ pictures. We asked our two-legged customers to tell us what they have learned from their pets and show us pictures of their four-legged babies. I truly enjoyed reading all the submissions, and I am truly grateful for everyone who took their time to share their stories.

Now tell all your friends and family to read these stories, enjoy the photographs, and vote for the best one! The lucky winner will be awarded a $200 pet sitting gift certificate to use for our pet sitting services. Please enter your votes in the Comments section below by listing the number of the entry that you like the most.

Submissions from our Dallas / Fort Worth clients at DFW Pet Sitting:

1

I know some people may think you can’t learn life lessons from cats, but you can. One time my cat, Jelly, managed to get herself on top of the refrigerator. She was scared and did not know how to get down, and would shift away from me as I tried to help her. Finally, she just jumped to the ground, licked her paw a little and wandered off. So, I learned that when you are scared it’s best to just go for it. And when you are done – brush yourself off and get on with your day.

Dorothy C.

2

My cat, Pepper, has taught me that many things aren’t really worth paying any attention to, even if someone else thinks it is.

What a cool contest! I’d like to submit our newest girl, GiGi who came to our back door the night before my Dad passed away. Funny how life gives and takes.

While Robert and I love animals, grew up with them and have not lived a day without one. However, a dog just did not fit our lifestyle. After numerous attempts to find her owner, we have decided to adopt her into our family.

She is a loving dog who is blending well into our lifestyle. She loves going on drive trips throughout Texas, weekends at the lake and loving visits to her “Grandma” at the assisted living residence. Not just my Mom, but all residents who see her light up and want to pet her. Oh to be so cute and loveable.

As you can see from this picture, she gets away with murder with Robert. There is no doubt who she has bonded with when the two of them share a craft beer!

GiGi has brought a new joy to our lives and those around us. We are thankful she chose our house to stop by.

Tammy F.

5

My cat (Sebastian) has taught me to be more patient and understanding. I understand dogs and horses because I grew up with them. Cats however speak a different language than herd animals and it has taken me years to stop myself from getting frustrated and really listen to what he is telling me. 10 years after trapping the stray orange cat who was roaming our farm with a broken leg, I am definitely a more patient and understanding human.

Meg C.

6

Ever since I moved out of the dorm and got my first cat as an adult they’ve been indoor-only cats. I strongly believe this is better for the cats. However, growing up all of our cats were indoor/outdoor. As is typical of cats, they would ask to go outside. The they’d just stand in the door, gauging the wind or running some complex algorithm or doing divination, trying to decide if they reeeeelly wanted to go out or not. As an impatient teenager sometimes I would take my foot and try to politely nudge them out. After all, that’s what they wanted, right? That slight nudge was enough to convince the cat that he or she actually wanted to stay inside a while longer.

The lesson I learned is that if you try to encourage a cat to do what it already wanted to do it’s likely to change its mind. But the main lesson is that’s true of people as well–you can’t push them into something they’re not ready for. Whether it’s cats or friends or family, you need to let those you care about have the time to make their own decisions. That might involve hesitation. If you try to push someone into doing something too soon you’re likely to not only set them in the opposite direction. You’ll probably both be irritated. In other words, be patient with those you love and don’t push them.

Here’s a vintage photo of two of the cats that helped teach me. In this photo Bonnie Blue Eyes, the Siamese, wasn’t quite so happy about sharing her domain with the young whippersnapper Sydney. Two very wonderful and sweet cats that I still miss.

Nora L.

7

In 2013 my precious cat, Bandit, was diagnosed with diabetes. I was scared I was going to lose him because he got sick so quickly. Luckily, with the early morning and evening insulin shots each day I am still blessed with his lovable quirkiness daily!

Bandit has taught me the importance of putting other’s before myself. I am single and don’t have any children yet, so there are some mornings I would rather sleep late than get up early to give him a shot. But I care dearly about my buddy Bandit and his well being. When I get up he is waiting for me at my bedroom door or near the food dish with a sweet meow and a little bit of charm.

His body knows it’s time for his food and insulin, and he will not fight it because it makes him feel better. He even appreciates me more than some humans I know, because after he eats and gets his shot he will come sit by me. I interpret this as him thanking me.

Bandit is an interesting cat with such a fun personality. He will be waiting at the front door for me when I get home from work. He would start meowing at me until I talk to him, and then it is like we have a conversation. He’s kind of like a dog in that way… He’s so excited to see me!

He is also very protective and will guard doorways and he used to stare down friends who came over if he didn’t recognize their scent. He would stand by them just to make sure everything was ok. The funniest was when it was guys I was dating. He meowed at them and would stare them down. My roommate and I thought it was hilarious. It was like he was looking out for me no matter what.

So, I would say the important life lesson Bandit has taught me is to put other’s needs before my own. And open my eyes to other’s needs. There have been times that I have lost sleep, or that Bandit or his sister, Bayley will end up meowing loudly to wake me up. There were times that I will come home early or go late to an event in the evening to take care of Bandit and give him his insulin. But he is so worth it. He has been with me almost 17 years (and I hope for many more!!!) and I am thankful for all the lessons he has taught me! I love him and love who he has helped me become!

Bridget H.

8

I found Mr. Puddles all alone on the side of the road when he was just four weeks old. As a college student, I was driving to class on a rainy day when something caught my eye by the side of the railroad tracks near a ditch. I quickly pulled over and jumped out of the car to find a tiny little kitten crying in a puddle all by himself! He was quickly tucked in my shirt, and I brought him home while I figured out what I was going to do with this little guy. I had owned cats my whole life. I however had never taken care of a cat completely on my own before, let alone a tiny kitten who should still be near his mother.

Once I got him dried off, I brought him to a vet’s office down the street to have him checked out and they said he (at the time he was too little to even know if he was a boy or girl) was completely healthy aside from a few fleas. I made a trip to Petsmart to buy all of the kitten essentials including milk and an eye dropper.

He slept for the next three days because he was so exhausted. I carried him around in a large purse with a fluffy stuffed animal to snuggle up with. He came with me everywhere for those first few days so he felt safe and comfy. I fed him out of an eye dropper for the first few weeks. This little fellow woke me up in the middle of the night when he had a burst of energy and needed to run around for a bit, which still happens to this day!

Twelve years later, Mr. Puddles is still a huge part of my life. Over the years, including those first few months, he has taught me how to care for something else other than myself. As a college student, I didn’t have many other concerns other than my school work and social life. Having Puddles in my life quickly changed all of that.

He has taught me a lot about responsibility and prepared me for the much larger responsibility of being a mother. I’m so grateful that he caught my eye that day on the side of the road!

Olga Wharton

DFW Pet Sitting Services is not just a business for me. It's a close-knit family of pet sitters and pet owners. We all have one common denominator: our love for pets. We trust each other, we do the right thing, and we appreciate all the lessons our pets have taught us. Every day we are fortunate to experience the unconditional love of our pets. We never take it for granted. We are thankful for our clients and their pets for enriching our lives every day.

#1. I have a cat that has trained my husband many things, such as: pet me twice on the head before I eat, watch me walk in a circle in front of the kitchen door to the garage where my litter box is located so you can let me out, at bedtime, pat the sofa cushion so I can lay down beside you and go to sleep for the night.

#8-miracles are always around us if we take the time to stop and see them. The lessons learned can be lifelong and change someone for the better, like Mr. Puddles. what a sweet and inspirational story.

#7 – In high school, my cat, Cuffin, knew the sound of my car. When i pulled in the driveway, he’d be standing on the sidewalk; when I got out, he”d roll over and wriggle until i picked him up and rubbed his tummy. I smile at the thought.

Sure, #7 is moving and profound, and if it weren’t already the likely winner I’d probably vote for it. But #2 reminds me of the virtue of simplicity and letting go, as well as not following the crowd. Funny, but also wise, kinda like cats 🙂

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"I am Olga Wharton Newman, and I am crazy about your four-legged babies! When it comes to their well-being, I am a Mama-Bear who will make sure they are safe, happy, and healthy with my sitters!"